Listed below are significant arrests or clearances through warrants or exception obtained between May 2-8, 2021 in investigations by the NOPD:

Homicides

• On May 5, NOPD Homicide Unit detectives arrested Khutbi Abdelkader (Arabic male, DOB: 05-06-1997) in the investigation of a homicide on May 5 in the 900 block of Canal Street. Abdelkader was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on a charge of second-degree murder.

• On May 5, NOPD Homicide Unit detectives arrested William E. Reese Jr. (white male, DOB: 06-12-1983) in the investigation of a homicide on May 5 in the 1100 block of Marais Street. Reese was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for second-degree murder.

Shootings

• On May 7, NOPD Fifth District detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Donald Brooks (photo not available, black male, DOB: 05-07-1994) for principal to aggravated battery by shooting. The incident occurred in the 2900 block of Oliver White Avenue on May 7. Anyone with information on Brooks’ whereabouts is asked to call Fifth District detectives at 504-658-6050 or to call anonymously to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111.

• On May 3, NOPD Eighth District detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Darran Boykins (black male, DOB: 11-13-1994) for five counts of aggravated battery by shooting. The incident occurred in the 300 block of Bourbon Street on April 24. Anyone with information on Boykins’ whereabouts is asked to call Eighth District detectives at 504-658-6080 or to call anonymously to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at 504-822-1111.

• On May 3, NOPD Third District detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Barry Causey (black male, DOB: 04-09-2000 ) for attempted second degree murder. The incident occurred in the 200 block of South Bernadotte Street on May 1.
   

Armed Robbery

• On May 4, NOPD Sixth District reported the arrest of Keon Esteen (pictured above, black male, DOB: 12-02-2002) on charges of armed robbery, illegal possession of a stolen vehicle and aggravated flight from an officer. The incident occurred in the 2600 block of South Claiborne Avenue on April 3. The arrest occurred on April 30 in the 8700 block of Gervais Street by the U.S. Marshals and NOPD Violent Offender Warrant Squad.

• On May 3, NOPD Third District detectives obtained an arrest warrant for a 13-year-old juvenile male  for armed carjacking and armed robbery with a firearm. The incident occurred in the 3100 block of Elysian Fields Avenue on April 24.

• On May 3, NOPD First District obtained an arrest warrant for John Banks (black male, DOB: 09-14-1981) for armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The incident occurred in the 1400 block of North Broad Street on April 29.

Other significant arrests

• On May 6, Louisiana State Probation and Parole conducted an unscheduled residence check in the 4600 block of Cardenas Drive for an adult resident (Kendall Beverly, black male, DOB: 10-15-1988). Also present in the residence was a male juvenile, who was wanted for auto theft. NOPD Seventh District detectives then authored a search warrant for the residence and located multiple firearms and related paraphernalia (pictured) in the juvenile’s bedroom. A backpack taken during a vehicle burglary from the Sixth District was also located in the juvenile’s room. The juvenile was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, four counts of illegal possession of a handgun by a juvenile and illegal possession of stolen things. Beverly was arrested for violation of parole and for felon in possession of a firearm.

• On May 7, NOPD Fifth District Officers responded to an armed robbery in the 2800 block of Florida Avenue. The victim stated he was delivering supplies at a work site and was in the driver’s seat of his silver 2019 Dodge Ram when an unknown small silver SUV vehicle pulled alongside his vehicle. An unknown subject armed with a firearm reportedly exited the front passenger seat of the SUV, held the gun towards the victim and gestured for the victim to exit his vehicle. The victim complied and the subject fled the location in the victim’s vehicle. 

• On May 7, NOPD Fifth District Officers responded to an armed robbery in the 2800 block of Florida Avenue. The victim stated he was delivering supplies at a work site and was in the driver’s seat of his silver 2019 Dodge Ram when an unknown small silver SUV vehicle pulled alongside his vehicle. An unknown subject armed with a firearm reportedly exited the front passenger seat of the SUV, held the gun towards the victim and gestured for the victim to exit his vehicle. The victim complied and the subject fled the location in the victim’s vehicle.

At 11:50 a.m., NOPD Fifth District Officers observed the reported stolen vehicle and a pursuit was authorized. The vehicle crashed in the 3100 block of North Robertson Street. Investigating the scene, officers observed five firearms and a total of seven juvenile individuals inside the vehicle. All occupants of the vehicle were transported to a local hospital via New Orleans EMS. All five firearms were swabbed for DNA, and a total of five cellular phones were collected as evidence. The following firearms were recovered and seized as evidence - an AR-15 rifle and four handguns. Three of the firearms were reported to be stolen in separate incidents across the city.

As investigation progressed, NOPD detectives determined that one of the juveniles – a 16-year-old male – was the perpetrator of the armed robbery incident and the driver of the stolen vehicle at the time of the crash.

Detectives obtained a total of 35 warrants during this investigation. All seven juveniles were charged with possession of a stolen automobile, juvenile in possession of a firearm and three counts of possession of a stolen firearm. Additionally, the 16-year-old juvenile male determined to be the perpetrator of the armed robbery and driver of the stolen vehicle was charged with armed robbery, possession of a stolen automobile, juvenile in possession of a firearm and aggravated flight from an officer.